Duchess Sophie explores fight against domestic violence in last engagement

The Duchess of Edinburgh has continued her last engagement with a day focused on women’s health, creativity and the fight to protect the country’s wildlife.

On the fifth day of her visit, she travelled to Livingstone, where the Duchess visited Libuyu Secondary School to learn more about a Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) “Wellness Day”. 

The initiative provides support and information to women and girls, with the programme placing particular emphasis on reaching marginalised and hard to reach communities, as well as people with disabilities.

Sophie later visited the Wayi Wayi Art Centre in Livingstone Central, meeting local artists whose work tackles important social issues. 

Their projects explore themes including gender relations, mutual respect and preventing domestic violence, using art as a way to open up conversations around issues affecting communities.

The programme is funded by the British government and forms part of wider efforts to ensure essential support reaches people who can face barriers to accessing services.

Sophie’s Zambia visit has also taken her into the heart of the country’s conservation efforts.

Earlier in the week, she visited the base camp of Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), an organisation working to combat poaching while protecting the region’s wildlife and fragile ecosystem.

She was also shown a homemade gun seized during conservation efforts.